Endothelial seeding of compliant polyurethane vascular graft material

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Abstract
Compliance was measured in a new compliant polyurethane vascular graft material and in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft material using an ultrasonic device; attachment of indium-111 oxine-labelled human endothelial cells to both surfaces with a range of surface coatings was assessed. Compliant polyurethane was six to eight times more compliant than PTFE (P<0·01) at all pressures in the range 50-120 mmHg, and endothelial cell attachment to uncoated polyurethane was three times better than to uncoated PTFE at times up to 90 min (P<0·01). Attachment to polyurethane was also better after blood clot, collagen and fibronectin treatment at times up to 30 min (P<0·05). Endothelial seeding of compliant graft material may provide a prosthetic vascular substitute with characteristics similar to those of autologous vein.